Ocupres

Okupres is an antiglaucoma drug from the group of β-blockers.

Indications Ocupresa

Used in ophthalmology:

• to reduce high intraocular pressure;
• for the treatment of chronic open-angle glaucoma;
• closed-angle glaucoma (adjuvant drug in combination with miotic drugs);
• secondary forms of glaucoma (including aphakic);
• congenital glaucoma (if other medicinal measures have not produced results).

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Release form

Available in the form of eye drops (0.25%), in 5 ml dropper bottles. Each separate package contains 1 bottle of solution.

Pharmacodynamics

The drug is a non-selective β-adrenoblocker. As a result of its local use in ophthalmology, the level of normal and high intraocular pressure decreases. This occurs due to a decrease in the amount of intraocular fluid produced, as well as an improvement in the processes of its outflow. The drug does not cause mydriasis and does not affect visual accommodation.

The drug has antihypertensive, antianginal, and antiarrhythmic properties, which are manifested in the case of systemic use. It also reduces the heart rate and sinus node automatism, and in addition, inhibits AV conduction and reduces the oxygen demand of the myocardium and its contractility.

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Pharmacokinetics

After local use of the drug, it quickly passes through the cornea, after which a small part of it enters the circulatory system. This occurs due to the absorption of the substance through the vessels of the conjunctiva, nasal mucous membranes and the mucous membranes of the lacrimal tract.

Dosing and administration

The initial dosage is 1 drop of solution (0.25%), which must be instilled into the damaged eye 2 times a day. If this dose is not effective enough, it must be increased - use a 0.5% solution (1 drop twice a day).

If the intraocular pressure readings have returned to normal, the patient should be transferred to maintenance treatment – instill 1 drop once a day. The best way to check the reaction to the drug is to measure the intraocular pressure several times, and do this at different times of the day (this is necessary because the pressure readings change under the influence of natural daily factors).

During the transition to timolol from other antiglaucoma drugs (but not β-blockers), the patient will need regular pressure measurements and careful monitoring of the condition. On the 1st day, it is necessary to start instilling Okupres in combination with the drug used (1 drop of timolol in the damaged eye 2 times a day). In the future, it is necessary to continue using Okupres in the specified dose, and the antiglaucoma drug used before it must be discontinued.

In case of combined use of the drug with miotics (such as polycarpine), as well as with carbonic anhydrase inhibitors and adrenergic agents, it is necessary to instill a solution (0.25%) in the amount of 1 drop twice a day.

If it is necessary to use large doses, then a 0.5% solution should be used - 1 drop 2 times a day instilled into the damaged eye.

The therapeutic course usually lasts for a maximum of 1 month.

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Use Ocupresa during pregnancy

There is no information on the effectiveness and safety of using this drug in pregnant women.

Contraindications

Among the contraindications:

• bradycardia, chronic heart failure (stages 2B-3) and acute heart failure;
• sinoatrial block and AV block (2nd and 3rd degree);
• SSSU, Raynaud's syndrome and other obliterating vascular pathologies;
• vasomotor rhinitis, metabolic acidosis;
• decreased blood pressure;
• lactation period.

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Side effects Ocupresa

The use of the solution may cause the following local side effects: development of hyperemia or irritation in the area of the skin of the eyelids and conjunctiva, and in addition to this, increased lacrimation, eye burning with itching and the appearance of photosensitivity. Edema in the epithelial layer of the cornea, the development of ptosis, diplopia or dry eye syndrome, as well as corneal hypoesthesia and point epithelial erosions are also possible. In the period after penetrating antiglaucoma operations, detachment of the retina may occur.

Systemic use may result in bradycardia, heart failure, AV block, and decreased blood pressure. In addition, sleep disorders, nightmares, headaches, depression, asthenia, agitation, paresthesia, and cold extremities may occur. Diarrhea and vomiting with nausea, bronchial spasms, and dyspnea are also possible, as well as muscle weakness, exacerbation of psoriasis, allergic skin symptoms, and dry conjunctiva.

Overdose

Overdose may cause general resorptive symptoms that are characteristic of β-blockers: headaches with dizziness, bradycardia with arrhythmia, nausea, bronchial spasms and cardiac arrest.

To eliminate the disturbances, you need to immediately wash your eyes with a saline solution or plain water. Then symptomatic treatment is carried out.

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Interactions with other drugs

The combined use of Okupres with digitalis drugs, Ca channel blockers, and reserpine should be done with caution, because timolol maleate increases the effect of systemic β-blockers.

Timolol also enhances the properties of muscle relaxants, which requires discontinuing the use of Okupres at least 48 hours before surgery in which general anesthesia is used.

When combined with epinephrine, pupil dilation may occur in some cases.

Combination with quinidine increases the manifestations of bradycardia.

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Storage conditions

The medicine must be kept in a place protected from light and moisture. Temperature values are within 15-25°C.

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Shelf life

Okupres is suitable for use within 2 years from the date of manufacture of the medicine. However, after opening the bottle, the shelf life is only 1 month.